1980s Juvenile Velocino ‘Bye Bike Boy’

In 1933, Ernesto Pettazzoni, an engineer from Bologna, Italy, applied for a British patent for his ultra=short-wheelbase semi-recumbent machine, the Velocino. It represented a wheelchair chopped in half, with the seat over the normal-sized rear wheel. The tiny front wheel was about 10 inches in diameter. The handlebar was reversible, giving the option of under-seat steering. Mussolini is said to have commissioned the Velocino as a compact, easily stored urban vehicle. The project attracted a lot of attention but was canceled after Italy entered Word War II.

Since Ernesto Pettazzoni’s original Velocino was launched and, unfortunately, canceled soon after, several other companies launched bicycles inspired by his design. Union of Holland introduced the ‘Strano’ in 1964 – designed by Bernard Overing of Deventer – and, a year later, inventor Emil Friedman of Germany exhibited a similar machine he called the ‘Donkey.’

In the 1980s, this interesting junior variation on the Velocino was built in limited numbers, though it was not successful.

A modern version was launched by Italian company Abici recently as a budget bicycle priced around £500, and it has had a favourable reception. After a delay of over 70 years, Pettazzoni’s unique bicycle design is at last being ridden and enjoyed and receiving the acclaim it deserves.

1980s Juvenile Velocino ‘Bye Bike Boy’

16″ Frame

Front Wheel: 11″

Rear Wheel: 18″

The Bye Bike Boy was not a successful model. The front wheel is too small and delicate for practical use: all of these bicycles I’ve seen have had replacement front wheels; the original wheel came with this example, but it was buckled. The handlebars turned in (as above) limits the ability to steer left or right. This bike is not straightforward to ride, and many kids fell off! They were manufactured in limited numbers and are not easy to find now.